Cooling Garment Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to the field of hydration and cooling devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cooling garment device, further comprised of a water reservoir and at least one drinking straw. The garment is preferably manufactured from a breathable, moisture wicking, fabric base layer that cools a wearer. The straw can further be easily accessed while wearing the garment to allow a wearer to drink water or other liquid that is stored within the water reservoir. In addition, a wearer can also release water from the straw and/or reservoir into the base layer of the garment to further cool oneself. Furthermore, the garment may have a thermometer that reads the internal body temperature of the wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/309,070, which was filed on Feb. 11, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of hydration and cooling devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cooling garment device, further comprised of a water reservoir and at least one drinking straw. The garment is preferably manufactured from a breathable, moisture wicking, fabric base layer that cools a wearer. The straw can further be easily accessed while wearing the garment to allow a wearer to drink water or other liquid that is stored within the water reservoir. In addition, a wearer can also release water from the straw and/or reservoir into the base layer of the garment to further cool oneself. Furthermore, the garment may have a thermometer that reads the internal body temperature of the wearer. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Many individuals have jobs that involve working outside. While working outside in hot temperatures, an individual can easily become dehydrated and even suffer from heat stroke. In order to prevent dehydration and heat stroke, a user must drink a sufficient amount of water and keep their body temperature within a normal range. However, based on the required job activities of the individual, it may not be feasible for said individual to easily carry and/or drink water while working.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that helps prevent dehydration and heat stroke. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a cooling garment device that cools a wearer while the wearer is working outside in hot temperatures. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a cooling garment device that allows a wearer to easily hydrate while working.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a cooling garment device. The device is comprised of a garment, further comprised of a water reservoir and at least one drinking straw. The garment is preferably manufactured from a breathable, moisture wicking, fabric base layer that cools a wearer. The straw can further be easily accessed while wearing the garment such that a wearer can drink water or other liquid that is stored within the water reservoir. Using a water release button, a wearer can also release water from the straw and/or reservoir into the base layer of the garment to further cool oneself. In addition, the garment may have a thermometer that reads the internal body temperature of the wearer.

In this manner, the cooling garment device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a device that helps prevent dehydration and heat stroke by cooling a wearer while the wearer is working outside in hot temperatures. In addition, the device allows a wearer to easily hydrate while working.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a cooling garment device. The device is primarily comprised of a garment, further comprised of a water reservoir and at least one drinking straw. The garment is preferably in the form of a long-sleeved shirt with long sleeves that is preferably worn as a base layer under clothing. The garment is preferably manufactured from a breathable, moisture wicking, fabric base layer. The base layer preferably has evaporative cooling properties to evaporate the sweat of the wearer.

The garment is further comprised of a support member that is integrally formed into the garment and is located on the shoulders of the wearer. The support member is comprised of a neck opening and a pair of shoulder members. At least one drinking straw is attached to the support member via at least one elastic straw loop that allows the straw to remain secure and close to the garment when not in use. The device is also comprised of at least one water reservoir that may be located on the front surface or rear surface of the garment, wherein the reservoir stores water or other liquid that can be drank by the wearer using the drinking straw.

A portion of the garment is further comprised of at least one water release button that can be used to release water from the straw and/or reservoir into the base layer of the garment. This allows the garment to further cool the user. The garment may also have a thermometer powered by at least one battery that displays to the user their body temperature (to prevent heat stroke) or the ambient air temperature around the user.

Accordingly, the cooling garment device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it helps prevent dehydration and heat stroke. In addition, the device cools a wearer while the wearer is working outside in hot temperatures and allows a wearer to easily hydrate while working. In this manner, the cooling garment device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of hydration and cooling used while working that are known in the art.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a cooling garment device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one potential embodiment of the garment of one potential embodiment of a cooling garment device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of one potential embodiment of a cooling garment device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an enhanced front view of one potential embodiment of a support member of one potential embodiment of a cooling garment device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that helps prevent dehydration and heat stroke. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a cooling garment device that cools a wearer while the wearer is working outside in hot temperatures. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a cooling garment device that allows a wearer to easily hydrate while working.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a cooling garment device primarily comprised of a garment, further comprised of a water reservoir and at least one drinking straw. The garment is preferably in the form of a long-sleeved shirt with long sleeves that is preferably worn as a base layer under clothing. The garment is preferably manufactured from a breathable, moisture wicking, fabric base layer that has evaporative cooling properties to evaporate the sweat of the wearer.

The garment is further comprised of a support member that is integrally formed into the garment and is located on the shoulders of the wearer. The support member is comprised of a neck opening and a pair of shoulder members, wherein at least one drinking straw is attached to the support member via at least one elastic straw loop that allows the straw to remain secure and close to the garment when not in use. The device is also comprised of at least one water reservoir that may be located on the front surface or rear surface of the garment. The reservoir stores water or other liquid that can be drank by the wearer using the drinking straw.

A portion of the garment is further comprised of at least one water release button that can be used to release water from the straw and/or reservoir into the base layer of the garment. This allows the garment to further cool the user. The garment may also have a thermometer powered by at least one battery that displays to the user their body temperature (to prevent heat stroke) or the ambient air temperature around the user.

Accordingly, the cooling garment device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it helps prevent dehydration and heat stroke. In addition, the device cools a wearer while the wearer is working outside in hot temperatures and allows a wearer to easily hydrate while working. In this manner, the cooling garment device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of hydration and cooling used while working that are known in the art.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a cooling garment device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a garment 110, further comprised of a water reservoir 140 and at least one drinking straw 150. The garment 110 is preferably in the form of a long-sleeved shirt with long sleeves 112, although the garment 110 may also be a short-sleeved garment or a vest in a differing embodiment. The garment 110 has a bottom opening 114 and a neck opening 116 to allow the garment 110 to be worn on the torso of the wearer. The device 100 is preferably worn as a base layer under clothing. The garment 110 is preferably manufactured from a breathable, moisture wicking, fabric base layer 102. The base layer 102 preferably has evaporative cooling properties to evaporate the sweat of the wearer. In one embodiment, the garment 110 has at least one secondary fabric layer 104 and at least one channel 106 that is formed between the base layer 102 and the secondary layer 104, wherein the channel 106 promotes air flow and cooling (as seen in FIG. 2 ). In an embodiment with only a base layer 102, the garment 110 has a front surface 118 and a rear surface 120. Said surfaces 118, 120 may be the second layer 104 in an embodiment of the garment 110 with an additional layer beyond the base layer 102.

As seen in FIG. 3 , the garment 110 is further comprised of a support member 130 that is integrally formed into the garment 110 and is located on the shoulders of the wearer. The support member 130 is comprised of a neck opening 132 and a pair of shoulder members 136. At least one drinking straw 150 is attached to the support member 130 via at least one elastic straw loop 134. The loop 134 allows the straw 150 to remain secure and close to the garment 110 when not in use. In a differing embodiment, the straw 150 may be secured via at least one clip 170 instead of a loop 134.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of one potential embodiment of a cooling garment device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is also comprised of at least one water reservoir 140 that may be located on the front surface 118 or rear surface 120 of the garment 110. The water reservoir 140 stores water or other liquid that can be drank by the wearer using the drinking straw 150. The water reservoir 140 is further comprised of at least one cap 142 that is preferably threaded and that allows the reservoir 140 to be filled with water in a water-tight manner. The reservoir 140 is further comprised of at least one quick-connect female opening 144 that receives at least one male quick-connect attachment 156 located on the second end 154 of the drinking straw 150. In this manner, the drinking straw 150 can be easily connected to the reservoir 140 for use and disconnected from the reservoir 140 for cleaning. The first end 152 of the straw 150 may also be comprised of a bite-activated drinking nipple 153.

A portion of the garment 110 is further comprised of at least one water release button 164 that can be used to release water from the straw 150 and/or reservoir 140 into the base layer 102 or secondary layer 104 of the garment 110. This allows the garment 110 to further cool the user. The garment may also have a thermometer 160 powered by at least one battery 162 that displays to the user, their body temperature (to prevent heat stroke) or the ambient air temperature around the user.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “cooling garment device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the cooling garment device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the cooling garment device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that is accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the cooling garment device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the cooling garment device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the cooling garment device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the cooling garment device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooling garment device comprising: a garment; a water reservoir; a drinking straw; a water release button; and a thermometer.
 2. The cooling garment device of claim 1, wherein the garment is a long sleeve shirt.
 3. The cooling garment device of claim 2, wherein the garment is manufactured from a breathable, moisture wicking, fabric base layer.
 4. The cooling garment device of claim 3, wherein the breathable, moisture wicking, base layer evaporates a sweat of a wearer.
 5. A cooling garment device comprising: a garment comprised of a base layer and a secondary layer; a water reservoir comprised of a cap; a drinking straw; a water release button; and a thermometer.
 6. The cooling garment device of claim 5 further comprised of an elastic straw loop that retains the drinking straw.
 7. The cooling garment device of claim 5, wherein the base layer is manufactured from a breathable, moisture wicking, fabric.
 8. The cooling garment device of claim 5, wherein the garment is a short sleeve shirt.
 9. A cooling garment device comprising: a garment comprised of a base layer, a channel and a secondary layer; a water reservoir further comprised of a cap; a drinking straw; a water release button; and a thermometer.
 10. The cooling garment device of claim 9, wherein the thermometer displays a body temperature of a wearer.
 11. The cooling garment device of claim 9, wherein the thermometer displays an ambient air temperature around a wearer.
 12. The cooling garment device of claim 9, wherein the water reservoir is further comprised of a quick-connect female opening.
 13. The cooling garment device of claim 12, wherein the drinking straw is comprised of a quick-connect male opening that attaches to the quick-connect female opening of the water reservoir.
 14. The cooling garment device of claim 13, wherein the drinking straw is comprised of a bite-activated drinking nipple.
 15. The cooling garment device of claim 9, wherein the water release button allows a user to release a quantity of water from the water reservoir into the base layer of the garment.
 16. The cooling garment device of claim 9, wherein the channel is located between the base layer and the secondary layer.
 17. The cooling garment device of claim 16, wherein the channel promotes an air flow through the garment.
 18. The cooling garment device of claim 9, wherein the garment is further comprised of a support member that is integrally formed into the garment and is located on a wearer's shoulders.
 19. The cooling garment device of claim 18, wherein the support member further comprises an elastic straw loop.
 20. The cooling garment device of claim 19, wherein the elastic straw loop retains the drinking straw. 